Israeli defence minister says Tel Aviv won’t withdraw from land seized in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza

Israel’s Defence Minister said on Monday that the country will not pull back from territory it has captured in Lebanon while the interim agreement between Iran and the United States remains unresolved.

Israel Katz made the remarks in what were the first official comments from Israel following the announcement of the interim deal. According to Pakistan, representatives of both sides are scheduled to meet in Geneva on Friday to formally sign the agreement.

Katz stated that Israel intends to remain “indefinitely” in the areas under its control in Lebanon, as well as in Syria and the Gaza Strip. Iran has linked the interim agreement related to the conflict to an end to Israel’s military attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Katz further warned that if Iran launches an attack on Israel in response to Israeli strikes in Lebanon, Israel would retaliate against Iran with “great force.”

During the past two-and-a-half years, Israel has established control over territories in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria covering about 1,000 square kilometres, an area slightly smaller than New York City.